The practice was established in 2004 and has since then been run by its founders, Asmundur Hrafn Sturluson and Steinthor Kari Karason, who have been working together since 2000. They are still the sole partners of the practice. We have valuable experience in working on international level, both within Kurtogpi Architects and previously working for other practices, on works in London, Luxembourg, Canada, Switzerland, Berlin, The Netherlands and Poland.
We work on various projects and at different scales, from modest refurbishments and small interventions to public buildings. Also, the practice has a long-standing relation with the art scene in Iceland with some art space and exhibition design as well as collaboration with artists. Our policy is to work our projects through, from the scale of its environment to the smallest details, guided by close relationship with the client, ensuring the function, quality and pleasure for the users and visitors, in close contact with its surroundings.

We approach our projects in the believe that the solution is to be found in the building’s context, built and natural, social and historical. Our goal is to crystallize the solution through architecture that establishes a dialogue with the building’s surroundings and, at the same time, developing sensibility and respect for it. Through architecture that creates a frame around the function and is developed through close relation with the user. Through architecture of functionality and permanence, assuring a long-lasting satisfaction in use and at the same time, allows the building to mature and wear. Through architecture that is fluent, allowing space for the user’s personal imagination and perception of the building and its context, close and far. Through architecture that tells a story.
This is demonstrated in our works, whether in buildings in narrow urban situation like the scheme for the Iceland Academy of the Arts (competition 3rd prize), in some tight and chaotic context in some of Reykjavik’s recently planned suburbs like Perlukór (finalist for Forum AID architecture awards) or in relation with a stunning natural environment like the Borgarnes College (Awarded the DV cultural prize for architecture as best public building in Iceland in 2008 and shortlisted for the AR Emerging Architecture Awards 2009).

Both partners are active in teaching in the Department of Design and Architecture in The Iceland Academy of the Arts, where Steinthor Kari Karason was the Director of Architecture Studies 2004-2006.